Punjab Skills Development Fund (PSDF) signed contracts worth Rs 1.4 billion with 64 training service providers here on Wednesday in Lahore. PSDF has procured services from these training organisations for providing training to 22,000 individuals including 40 percent females under its scheme, Skills for Job 2013-14 (SFJ).
On behalf of PSDF, Ali Sarfraz, CEO PSDF, signed the contracts with representatives from the training organisations who have partnered with national and international accredited certifying agencies. The trainings are in diverse sectors that include: Commerce, Construction, Automobile, Gems &Jewellery, Hospitality, Information Technology, Mechanical and Textiles etc.
While addressing the participants, CEO PSDF said SFJ 2013-14 deserved to be named a demand-driven skills scheme as it benefits from the extensive household and firm demand research commissioned by the UK's Department for International Development (DFID) and completed in early 2013.
He said the scheme sought to encourage standardised and structured training while ensuring recognition of training received. "PSDF funds skills development on the basis of per trainee cost excluding capital expenditures. The training providers will provide free training to eligible candidates from selected seven districts of South Punjab - Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar, Lodhran, Muzaffargarh, Khanewal, Vehari and Rahim Yar Khan - in 144 trades. Classes will start from December 2, at 181 training locations. The Fund met its target of completing 20,000 trainings in the financial year 2012-13. More than 30,000 have already completed their trainings under PSDF schemes and are now active in the job market. Sponsors have decided to expand PSDF operations to more districts of Punjab. PSDF was able to create an impact in the skills training market within a very short span, after its inception in January 2011."
On-job-training has also been made an integral part of all trainings courses under this scheme, which we hope will bridge the gap between training and the world of work. PSDF has also decided to systematically integrate placement efforts with its core functions. PSDF has, therefore, established a placement services cell for marketing of its trainees. Selected trainees under the scheme will also receive a stipend of Rs 1500 in case of day scholars and Rs 3,000 for boarders receiving training outside the PSDF districts. Courses details are also available on PSDF website (www.psdf.org.pk).
Punjab Skills development Fund (PSDF) is a section 42 company, established by the Government of the Punjab in collaboration with the DFID, UK. PSDF funds vocational training organisations are providing vocational and skills training to the poor and the vulnerable populations of seven districts of South Punjab - Bahawalpur, Lodhran, Muzaffargarh, Bahawalnagar, Vehari, Khanewal & Rahim Yar Khan.